Docker Manager

The clean desktop cockpit for Docker.

Docker Manager is a fast, native Linux desktop app for developers who want Docker control without terminal noise.
Built with Rust + GTK4, it gives you a focused UI to inspect containers, run actions confidently, and keep full command visibility.

Why Docker Manager

• Act on any container in one click — Start, Stop, Restart, Remove, and Logs live on every row.
• Tail container output in real time with a live docker logs --follow viewer.
• View live container inventory with name, ID, status, and image.
• Stay current automatically — the list refreshes itself in the background.
• Stay responsive under load with non-blocking background execution.
• Track every operation in a clear, in-app activity log.
• Prevent mistakes with a destructive-action safety toggle.
• Keep your workflow local, lightweight, and keyboard-friendly.

Product Highlights

• Native desktop performance.
• Per-row actions — no selecting then typing a name.
• Live log streaming in a dedicated window per container.
• Practical operational safeguards.
• Immediate feedback on success and failure.
• Automatic background refresh plus refresh after every state-changing action.
• Minimal, focused interface designed for daily use.

Quick Start

1. Prerequisites

• Linux desktop environment
• Docker CLI on your PATH
• Permission to run Docker commands
• Rust (stable)

2. Run

cargo run

Download a Release (Linux x86_64) — no dependencies

Every tagged release ships a self-contained AppImage built automatically by CI (see .github/workflows/release.yml). Download it from the Releases page and run — nothing to install:

chmod +x docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage
./docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage

To publish a release, push a version tag and CI does the rest:

git tag v0.1.0
git push origin v0.1.0

Launch from the GNOME Overview / App Grid

From source (one command) — installs the build-only GTK headers if missing (apt/dnf/pacman/zypper), builds the release binary, and registers the desktop entry + icon so it shows in the overview:

chmod +x scripts/install-local.sh
./scripts/install-local.sh

If you only have the AppImage (zero build setup), register it with the desktop:

chmod +x scripts/install-appimage.sh
./scripts/install-appimage.sh path/to/docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage

Either way, search Docker Manager in the overview and click to launch. Both installers write an absolute Exec path, so launching from the overview works even when ~/.local/bin is not on the graphical session's PATH. If the icon does not appear immediately, log out/in or restart GNOME Shell.

3. Build Release

cargo build --release

Build AppImage (Zero-dependency, recommended for end users)

chmod +x scripts/build-appimage.sh
./scripts/build-appimage.sh

The build bundles GTK4, libadwaita, icon loaders, and every runtime library into a single self-contained AppImage. End users do not need Rust, GTK, or any package installed — they download one file, make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage
./docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage

The only thing the app needs on the target machine is the Docker CLI — because managing Docker is the whole point. Everything else ships inside the AppImage. For the widest glibc compatibility, build the AppImage on the oldest Linux distribution you intend to support.

Output:

• dist/docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage
• dist/docker-manager-linux-x86_64.AppImage.sha256

4. Run Tests

cargo test

Screenshot

The current release includes one primary screenshot. More workflow screenshots can be added in future updates.

Architecture

• src/main.rs: app bootstrap
• src/ui.rs: interface + action orchestration
• src/docker.rs: Docker command client + output parsing
• src/model.rs: domain models

Positioning

Docker Manager is ideal for:

• Developers who use Docker every day
• Teams that want safer container operations
• Engineers who prefer native tools over heavy dashboards

Roadmap

• Container logs viewer ✅ live docker logs --follow window
• Restart action ✅ per-row restart
• Search and filters
• Resource stats (CPU / memory per container)
• Exec into a container (open a shell)
• Package distribution (.deb / Flatpak)

License

MIT. See LICENSE.

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md.